January 27, 2009

Rafah tunnels are the key to defeating Hamas

By Moshe Dann
Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip prompts two basic questions? How did Israel get into this mess? And how can Israel get out?  In focus now, finally, are the estimated hundreds of tunnels under the town of Rafah used to smuggle everything from sophisticated weapons, to drugs, prostitutes, food and gasoline.  Allowing this little town and UNRWA-sponsored jihadist camps to operate as  weapons suppliers and shelters for terrorist organizations has cost the lives hundreds, maimed thousands and jeopardized the entire region.    Rafah, a 4 km long Arab town that straddles the Egyptian-Gaza border, is the key to preventing Hamas from obtaining weapons and ending the conflict. Without the supply of ammunition and weapons, Hamas could not sustain a military confrontation, or fire rockets into Israeli cities. Why, then, has Israel, until recently allowed the tunnels to exist, why haven't they been destroyed completely, and when will it end?BackgroundIn the...(Read Full Article)